Ordinary Day with Jesus

ORDINARY DAY WITH JESUS

Based on the study by John Ortberg and Ruth Haley Barton, available through Willow Creek Resources

Lesson Four: Leadings

October15, 2006

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,

Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

Giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:17

You can use the text of this message to fill in the blanks in your participant’s guide! Page numbers for the guide are referenced in bold; sentences from the guide are in bold, with answers supplied in all caps and underlined.

(SLIDE)just indicates my transitions in the powerpoint presentation. Please ignore these markings—I hope they don’t inconvenience you.

Please e-mail me (Pastor Brenda) at with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

The One Thing to know: God still speaks. To you.

(Visual--SLIDE)

Introduction & Review. (Previous messages and additional resources available at Trinity’s website—Sermons/Ordinary Day.)

(SLIDE)First session: God is ALWAYS with you. Doing all we do in Jesus’ name connects us to God in life-saving ways.
(SLIDE)Second session: We love, because God first loved us. God is making us more loving in our everyday relationships
(SLIDE)Session Three: God is with us at work. Work can be a center of spiritual life and growth.
(SLIDE) This week: Leadings. God still speaks! Jesus—God’s living Word—really does want to communicate with us. We can learn to hear his voice, filter out the rest—a cell phone on 24/7.

Video Introduction: “Competing Voices”

What’s competing for your attention? God still speaks. God still speaks to you! But our world is a NOISY place.

External voices compete for our attention all the time. Voices from advertisers are constantly trying to get us to buy something. Voices from the entertainment industry offer escape. Voices from work demand us to go faster, try harder, do better than him or her.

Internal voices tear us down—you’re a failure, you’re weak. And build us up—he had NO RIGHT! What does SHE know? I’m OK, dad-gum-it! They stoke our imaginations with anger, greed, and jealousy. Voices from past and present may play inaccurate tapes through our minds—locking us into untruths about God and ourselves.

I want to hear God’s voice. Do you? Then let’s figure out what the competing voices are and do what we can to quiet them down.

Group/Partner Questions:

(If you saw the video) What competing voices in the film made it difficult for the people to hear God’s voice?

What competing voices make it difficult for YOU to hear God’s voice?

God Does Speak

1.(INTRO SLIDE)God does still speak. God does guide God’s people.

2.Think of your phone or cell phone to represent this message:

Through the Holy Spirit God can dial you up 24/7
But the ring tone’s not deafening, and this IS a noisy world. Sometimes we turn the phone to vibrate, even off! Sometimes the signal’s not clear or we’ve got too much going on in the background to hear.

3.In this session we want to learn to:

Notice the ring!
Take the call
Hear the message and respond.

Human communication

1.(SLIDE)A person speaks (writes, signs, makes faces…)

2.Another listens and allows the first to influence his/her thoughts. If I weren’t talking—you weren’t listening—your mind would be going in a different direction! THANK YOU for this moment’s attention!

3.Communication is simply GUIDING someone’s thoughts with their cooperation. (Page 48)

4.As finite, physical folk, we’re limited to finite, physical communication—I make sounds/you hear them; you have certain thoughts (hopefully the one’s I was aiming for). I write down words/you read them. I make a face/you hide. I DO SOMETHING—you interpret. Sometimes correctly.

How God Speaks

Several years ago, in a study calledExperiencing God, I learned that God reliably speaks in four ways— (This section is not in the study guide)

1.(SLIDE) The Bible: stories of how God has worked in the lives of his peope over thousands of years, read by God’s people over lifetimes to form in us a biblical imagination and the mind of Christ, of God’s own self.

2.(SLIDE)Prayer. Both talking to God and listening for God! And yes, Lutherans do believe that the Holy Spirit can place thoughts directly into our imaginations! Author Parker Palmer, inLet Your Life Speak (pp. 64-65), speaks of a surprising word spoken into the isolated darkness of his depression:

“Amazingly, I was offered an unmediated sign of [the love of God] when in the middle of one sleepless night during my first depression, I heard a voice say, simply and clearly, ‘I love you, Parker.’ The words did not come audibly from without but silently from within, and they could not have come from my ego, which was too consumed by self-hatred and despair to utter them.

“It was a moment of inexplicable grace—but so deep is the devastation of depression that I dismissed it. And yet that moment made its mark: I realized that my rejection of such a remarkable gift was a measure of how badly I needed help.”

3.(SLIDE) Circumstances. Many of us have experienced doors opening before us (or closing behind us!), timely learnings from sources expected and not.

Last week, I needed to visit Joy Felker in the hospital. I also needed to finish some worship preparations. So I did the paperwork as quickly as I could, and walked out the door. On the way to the hospital, out in the bright sunlight, I met someone who really needed to talk to a pastor—to me—and because I was training to be more loving by listening well (Lesson Two!), I put down my stuff and listened. We agreed to meet again this week.

Come Monday, I’m concerned. This person’s situation is over my head, beyond my abilities. I tell God about my anxiety, and ask for help—more than once…it takes me more than once. And as I’m sitting on the couch, I see a book I’m assigned to read, I pick it up, and turn to the chapter I think is next. And I receive exactly the guidance I need and clarity about my role with this person.

God still speaks—and not just to pastors. To you, when you listen.

4.(SLIDE) The Church.Often these days we either don’t understand or distrust the teachings handed down through the large Christian tradition and our Lutheran corner in it. We think we need to learn our own truth, which is true, but by leaving the old behind. The longer I travel the road after Jesus, the more I value the perspectives of centuries of followers who are a lot more like me than different, along with current writers, my Christian friends and mentors, other pastors, and wise folks wherever I find them.

Yes, Lutherans—I—do believe that God guides our thoughts by speaking directly to our hearts and minds. Here’s how some people have experienced—and not experienced—God’s leadings…

5.Video: Leadings.

(SLIDE)

SG/Partner Activity (page 50):

With your small group or partner, discuss the questions below.

1.Have you ever had a prompting or leading?

2.If so, how did you respond? What was the outcome?

3.If not, how do you imagine you’d respond if such a leading did occur?

We LEARN to recognize God’s voice

1.(SLIDE)Hearing God’s voice is a learned behavior. (Page 51)

Most of us think we listen pretty well, but recognizing and hearing ANYBODY’s voice is learned behavior! I’ve known some folks who were convinced they’d heard from God—but I wasn’t so sure, and neither were other Christian friends. Or God might speak, and we might not hear at all. Happens between the people at my house all the time! But normal, psychologically healthy people DO hear from God. (Especially comforting to those of us who do hear voices!)

In our OT lesson, Samuel was very young when God first spoke to him—and he didn’t get it at first! Some folks at some times might hear and understand God clearly the first time, but most of us are more like Samuel. It takes some time and TRAINING to learn how to hear God’s voice.

Our Gospel lesson talked about sheep knowing the voice of the shepherd. How? Because the shepherd cares for his sheep and speaks to them over time; the shepherd’s voicegrows on the the sheep! Because a personal relationship with God is at the heart of Christianity, COMMUNICATING with God—both speaking and hearing—is normal and necessary!

We can invite God to teach us with Samuel’s words: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (Practice saying together?)

2.(SLIDE)God can speak to anyone. (Page 52) Who me? Yes, you. Back in the early stories of Israel, God spoke through a donkey. Shepherds, fishermen, young girls, old women—God spoke in a vision to a stuck-up self-righteous murderer, of all people. God can speak to you.

3.(SLIDE)God speaks consistently with God’s character as we come to know it through…

Scripture… Psalm ??—God is strong, and God is tender. God is humble and strong—Phil. 2. God is loving—1 Cor. 13. God is not anxious, but joyful and peaceful—Phil. 4. Not dull, but inspiring, surprising—Luke 24:32/Emmaus. Yet even though they felt their hearts burning—felt the Holy Spirit—they didn’t recognize Jesus with them!
Godly people—what are real Jesus-followers like? People who hang with God grow like God… OUR HEARTs come to burn—to know what’s God and what’s not…

4.(SLIDE)God’s voice affects our hearts with peace, energy, hope, LOVE (Philippians 4, Colossians 3, and many others). God’s voice will always be:

(SLIDE)Consistent with scripture. Christ-followers who “feel led” to violate Scripture—for instance to pursue intimacy with someone at the expense of their spouse—are not hearing the leadings of God’s Spirit. It’s so easy for us to twist things to what we want to hear! (Big issue for me as a woman preacher. Issues currently here around homosexuality—bigger than this sermon!)
(SLIDE)Consistent with who God made you to be—God will often call you to serve and work in areas where he has gifted and prepared you—and sometimes in areas where God wants to challenge and stretch you!
(SLIDE)Consistent with love, upbuilding to others. Ask: “Is this action selfish or loving?” For me:“Is it courageous or fearful?” “Is it like God or not?” Gossip, disrespect, anything that tears down just isn’t God’s voice.

One Person’s Story—perhaps a word for you… “The Whisper Test” (SLIDE, Page 53)

“I grew up knowing I was different, and I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate, and when I started school, my classmates made it clear to me how I looked to others: a little girl with a misshapen lip, crooked nose, lopsided teeth, and garbled speech.

“When schoolmates asked, “What happened to your lip?” I’d tell them I’d fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident that to have been born different. I was convinced that no one outside my family could love me.

“There was, however, a teacher in the second grade who we all adored, Mrs. Leonard by name. She was short, round, happy—a sparkling lady.

“Annually we had a hearing test. Mrs. Leonard gave the test to everyone in the class, and finally it was my turn. I knew from past years that as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher sitting at her desk would whisper, and we would have to repeat it back—things like, “The sky is blue,” or “Do you have new shoes?” I waited there for those words that God must have put into her mouth, those seven words that changed my life.

“Mrs. Leonard said in her whisper, ‘I wish you were my little girl.’”

Conclusion

1.(SLIDE)God still speaks. To you. Remember the phone? 24/7!

2.(SLIDE)It’s a noisy world, and we can quiet the phone

3.(SLIDE)But we can seek to LEARN to hear God’s voice, to notice the ring, pick up the phone, hear and follow the shepherd. It helps. 

3.(SLIDE)Next week: Solitude. Wednesday Group: Lectio Divina. Web resources. Appendices: “Hanging with God,” “The Quest for God,” and “Hanging with God: The Jesus Prayer.”

Previous Lessons in An Ordinary Day with Jesus:

Week One:Jesus saves my life—saves your lives! Course Goal: Not for you to do NEW THINGS, but to do what YOU’RE ALREADY DOING with a greater awareness of the power and presence of Jesus—IN Jesus’ name. Challenge: Try one thing—sleeping or waking in Jesus’ name. Daily review. SLEEP! Eat! During the offering, I invite you to write down the idea you want to try in your book, the bulletin, on your hand. Today, share it with one other person.

See Ordinary Day Lesson One for Appendices including: Daily Review, Martin Luther’s Evening and Morning Prayers, Resources for Daily Prayer, and additional comments about the benefits of sleep and reducing stress.

Week Two:We Love, because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19) LOVE is the best gauge of living Christian spirituality. Want to know if you’re connected to the vine, living in Jesus’ name? Figure out if you’re growing more loving. Want to grow more loving? Hang on to Jesus. Challenge: Choose ONE strategy to train to be more loving and share it with somebody. OR recommit to last week’s choice—remain connected to that vine!

See Ordinary Day Lesson Two for Appendix: “Hanging with God: Lectio Divina”(Sacred Reading). This is a simple and powerful way to read the Bible and connect with God. Also included below!

Week Three: Work. Everybody works—whatever you do to support yourself, others, and God’s creation, is your work. We work because we’re made in the image of God, and God finds joy and purpose in working: “My Father is always at his work, and I too, am working,” says Jesus. We work in God’s rhythm—diligent work, celebration (“God saw that it was good!”), and rest. Challenge: Choose ONE strategy to partner with God at work—beginning the day in Jesus’ name, taking breaks, ending the day well. OR recommit to a prior week’s choice.

See Ordinary Day Lesson Three for Appendices: “Thought-Provoking Thoughts on Work” and “Thought-Provoking Thoughts on Rest,” both including some great additional reading resources. Also, “The Ultimate Performance Review.”

Lesson Four Appendix 1:

Hanging with God:

LECTIO DIVINA (“sacred reading,” Latin)

We Read(lectio, reading)

Under the eye of God(meditation, meditation)

Until the heart is touched(oratio, prayer)

And leaps to flame(contemplation, contemplation)

—Dom Marmion

Lectio Divina was a staple of monastic life prior to the Reformation, and was a part of Martin Luther’s regular prayer disciplines. Practiced in the morning, it can provide a scriptural/spiritual theme for the whole day.

I find Lectio to be a relaxing and structured way to come into God’s presence—to “fill my love tank”. As a person who’s very comfortable with reading, this way of praying starts me out in a place where I’m at home, then moves me toward meditation and contemplation in a way that stretches helpfully. —Pastor Brenda

Preparation

Choose a short passage of scripture in whatever translation suits you. One verse may be plenty—no more than 10 or 15. Most Bibles list passages by topic, if you need a suggestion. The practice can also be used with non-biblical writings.
Set aside at least 15 minutes, preferably 25 to 30 in a place where you probably won’t be interrupted.
Use a journal if you think it might be helpful.
Take time to quiet body and mind. Breathe deeply; sit comfortably—erect, but not tense. God has been awaiting you—enter his presence. Become open to God’s voice.

Reading

Read the passage aloud slowly.
Pause.

Meditation

Read the passage aloud again, identifying a word, idea, or phrase that catches your attention or stands out.
Reflect on it, repeating it, letting it sink in deeply for five minutes or longer. Ponder and rest in it.
As your mind loses focus, notice and either return to your word/phrase or move to the next reading.

Read the passage aloud again, now asking, “Where does this passage touch my life, my community, my nation, my world today?”
Reflect for five minutes or longer.

Contemplation

Read the passage for the fourth and final time, asking, “What invitation does God have for me here? What does God invite me to do or be? How does God invite me to change?”
In five or more minutes of quiet thought, ponder and rest in the message God is sending you.

Prayer